Great Outdoors Week, May 16-25, highlights the bounty of outdoor recreation acitivities in Southwestern Pennsylvania. There are opportunities for individuals from all skill levels and backgrounds to participate. Here is a schedule of events. Details at www.greatoutdoorsweek.org

May 14 Great Outdoors Week Kick-Off. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Market Square. Live music, climbing wall, kayak demo, outdoors groups.

May 16 National Bike to Work Day. 8 a.m.-11 a.m. REI, SouthSide Works, free Biker Appreciation Breakfast and giveaways.

May 16-18 Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology convention. www.pabirds.org/AnnualMeeting/AnnualMeeting.htm.

May 16 Friday Nights City Light's Skate. 6:30 p.m.--8:30 p.m. Eliza Furnace Trail, Greenfield. www.skatepittsburgh.com.

May 17 Venture Outdoors Festival. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Washington's Landing and Millvale Riverfront Park. Free. Canoeing, kayaking, biking, dragon boats, rock climbing, fishing and more. www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 17 ISA Penn-Del Western Tree Climbing Championship. 8 a.m.--4 p.m. Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park. www.penndelisa.org, 814- 333-7460.

May 18 Pedal Pittsburgh. 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. A ride, not a race. www.pedalpittsburgh.org.

May 18 Wildflower Walk. Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve, Beaver County. 1 p.m. 724-872-5232.

May 18 Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Hike. 1-4 p.m., Boyce Park. $20, Venture Outdoors members $12. www.ventureoutdoors.org

May 18 Yoga Outdoors. 6-8 p.m. Schenley Park Cafe. $20, Venture Outdoors members $10, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 18 Sunday Stroll Skates. 9--11:30 a.m. Eliza Furnace Trail, Greenfield, www.skatepittsburgh.com.\

May 19 Medicinal Plants Hike. 6-8 p.m. Frick Park. $10, Venture Outdoors members $5, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 20 Learn to Row Indoor Session. 7-8 p.m. Three Rivers Rowing Association, Millvale, www.threeriversrowing.org.

May 20 Learn to Row. 6 p.m. Steel City Rowing Club Boathouse, 100 Arch St., Verona. www.steelcityrowing.com, 412-828-5565.

May 20 Tyke Hikes. 10 a.m.-noon Highland Park. $5. Newborn to 8 years old. Snacks provided, www.ventureoutdoors.org .

May 20 Canoeing Our Three Rivers. 7 p.m., REI, SouthSide Works. 7 p.m. Planning your next boating/camping adventure. Free. www.rei.com.

May 20 Full Moon Paddles. 7:45-10 p.m. Kayak Pittsburgh: Downtown. $50, Venture Outdoors members $30, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 21 Wednesday Wake Up Paddles. 6:15-7:30 a.m. Kayak Pittsburgh: Downtown. $20, Venture Outdoors members $12, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 21 Bird Walk. 7:30 a.m. Frick Environmental Center parking lot, Squirrel Hill. Free, www.pittsburghparks.org..

May 21 TriAnglers. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. North Shore, Riverfront Park. $5. Pennsylvania Fishing License required, regulations apply, www.ventureout doors.org.

May 21 Weeknight Wine and Cheese Hike. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Riverview Park, South Side. $30, Venture Outdoors members $15, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 21 Great Allegheny Passage with Adventure Cycling. 7 p.m., REI, SouthSide Works. www.rei.com.

May 22 Perk-up Hikes. 6:30-7:45 a.m. Strip District. $15, Venture Outdoors members $8. Coffeehouse tour, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 21 Hike and Eat Locally. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Schenley Park. $20, Venture Outdoors members $12, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 21 Speed Skate Clinic. 7--8 p.m. by appointment, Highland Park Velodrome (Washington Avenue), www.skatepittsburgh.com.

May 23 Tireless Friday. 5-8 p.m. Strip District. Volunteers needed, removal of invasive plant species and planting native trees and shrubs, removal of trash and recyclables. www.rei.com/pittsburgh, 412-488-0212 ext. 3.

May 23 Friday Nights City Light's Skate. 6:30--8:30 p.m. Eliza Furnace Trail, Greenfield, www.skatepittsburgh.com.

May 23 Fireworks Paddle. 8-10 p.m. Kayak Pittsburgh: Downtown. $50, Venture Outdoors members $30. www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 23 Doggie Day Treks. 6:30-9 p.m., Grandview Park. $18, Venture Outdoors members $8. 5-6 miles, two dogs per person, leashes required (off-leash time included), www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 24 Advanced Paddle Series. 8-11:30 a.m. Hot Metal Bridge. $35, Venture Outdoors members $20. www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 24 Great Allegheny Passage Bike Ride. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Ohiopyle to Confluence. $30, Venture Outdoors members $15, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 24 Curry Hike. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Panhandle Trail. $25, Venture Outdoors members $15. www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 24 Day Trek Lite. 1-4 p.m. Harrison Hills Park. $10, Venture Outdoors members $3, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 25 Rachel's Sustainable Feast. Noon-5 p.m. Rachel Carson Homestead, Springdale. $5, children under 5 free, www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org.

May 25 Northmoreland Park Fishing Day. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Northmoreland Park, Apollo. Free fishing event, www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks, 724-830-3962.

May 25 Natural Reflections. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Todd Sanctuary. $40, Venture Outdoors members $25. www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 25 Intro to In-line Skating. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Eliza Furnace Trail. $10, Venture Outdoors members $5, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 25 Sunday Stroll Skates. 9--11:30 a.m. Eliza Furnace Trail, Greenfield.

May 25 Rock Climbing. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Laurel Highlands. $65, Venture Outdoors members $45. All gear included, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 25 Hydrobike Excursions. 9-11 a.m. Raccoon Creek State Park. $20, Venture Outdoors members $10, www.ventureoutdoors.org.